What to Watch in 2012 in HIM

January 5, 2012

The healthcare industry has been inundated with change in recent years and health information management (HIM) professionals are being challenged to re-evaluate and prioritize initiatives that will have the most impact on the profession. Seven of the nation’s top initiatives will be monitored throughout the year by AHIMA’s HIM experts and are discussed in this month’s Journal of AHIMA, “Field Guide: Seeing the Trees Through the Forest in 2012.”

The following seven initiatives AHIMA experts will focus on this year:

1. ICD-10—The countdown begins toward the October 1, 2013, implementation deadline and the focus will shift from assessing the impact of ICD-10 to modifying the systems, reports and forms to prepare for the new code set.

2. ACOs —The voluntary program launched Jan. 3 and ACO networks are expected to grow in 2012 among independent and private payers.

3. Meaningful Use—The final rule for stage 2 will be released and discussion on stage 3 will begin.

4. HIEs—This year state-level HIEs must develop a solid sustainability plan and get it in place.

5. Security and Privacy —The HITECH final rules will be published and HIM professionals will begin implementing the changes in 2012.

6. EHRs—The use of patient portals will increase and create a higher demand for data governance in HIM departments.

7. Data, Data and More Data—2012 is the year of creating, managing and using data, which is now closely tied to reimbursement.